JP4406094B2 - Image reproducing apparatus and image recording apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reproducing apparatus that reads an image file from a directly accessed storage medium, and an image recording apparatus that writes an image file to a directly accessed storage medium.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a video tape recorder that reads image information written on a magnetic tape, access is sequentially performed and reproduction is performed. Therefore, when reproduction is performed from a position desired by the operator, it is necessary to skip image information to that position.
In recent years, an image reproducing apparatus and an image recording apparatus using a direct access memory such as a magnetic disk as a recording medium instead of a sequential access memory such as a magnetic tape have been put into practical use.
[0003]
In such an image reproducing apparatus, an image file selected by an operator among a plurality of image files composed of image information of moving images is directly accessed and reproduced.
In addition, image editing software that reads an image file and performs image processing can reproduce the image from a position specified by the operator.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the above-described image playback device always starts reading from the top position of the image file, there is a problem that even an image file that has already been played to a middle position cannot be read from that position. It was.
In addition, since the image editing software described above does not record the position specified by the preceding reading, the operator must specify the reproduction position each time the same image file is read again. There was a problem.
[0005]
Therefore, First Or 5th An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing apparatus capable of reliably reproducing from a desired position on an image file, 6th and 7th An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of designating a position where reproduction should be started when an image file is written. In particular, Third An object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing apparatus capable of reliably restarting reproduction from an interrupted position when reproduction of an image file is interrupted.
[0006]
Also, 4th and 5th It is an object of the present invention to provide an image reproducing apparatus capable of quickly and reliably selecting a reproduction position. further, 7th It is an object of the present invention to provide an image recording apparatus that can quickly and reliably select a reproduction position performed by an image reproduction apparatus.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
FIG. First It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[0008]
1st invention The image playback apparatus directly accesses a moving image file recorded on the recording medium A and having a header area where auxiliary information is recorded and an image area where image information is recorded, and reads and reproduces the moving image file. Image reproduction means 10 for performing, and position acquisition means 12 for acquiring position information indicating the reproduction start position of the moving image file recorded in the header area of the moving image file, Based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition means 12, the playback of the moving image file is started from the playback start position corresponding to the position information.
[0009]
FIG. Second It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
Second invention The image playback device of 1st invention In the image reproducing apparatus of FIG. 5, in the process in which the moving image file is being reproduced by the image reproducing means 10, the designation operation given from the outside is performed. Time The position specifying means 14 for specifying the reproduction start position of the moving image file, and the position specifying means 14 so Position recording means 16 is provided for recording the designated reproduction start position in the header area as the position information.
[0010]
FIG. Third It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
Third invention The image playback device of 1st invention In the image reproducing apparatus, the image reproducing means 10 interrupts the reproduction of the moving image file at the time of the interruption operation given from the outside, and the position storage means 18 includes the moving image whose reproduction is interrupted by the image reproducing means. The position of the image file is recorded in the header area as the position information.
[0011]
FIG. 4th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
4th invention The image playback device of 1st invention In the image reproduction apparatus, a plurality of the position information can be recorded in the header area of the moving image file, and when a plurality of the position information is acquired by the position acquisition unit 12, a reproduction start indicated by the position information is started. Thumbnail display means (20) for generating thumbnail images from playback images at positions and displaying a plurality of thumbnail images; and position selection means for specifying a playback start position according to the thumbnail image selected by an external selection operation. The image reproduction means 10 starts reproduction of the moving image file from the reproduction start position specified by the position selection means 22.
[0012]
FIG. 5th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
5th invention The image playback device of Second invention In this image reproduction apparatus, a thumbnail recording unit 24 generates a thumbnail image from the reproduction image at the reproduction start position designated by the position designation unit 14 and stores the thumbnail image in the image file in association with the reproduction start position. And thumbnail display means (26) for acquiring the image information of the thumbnail image from the moving image file and displaying the thumbnail image corresponding to the image information, and the reproduction start position acquired by the position acquisition means 12. A position selection unit 28 for specifying a playback start position corresponding to a thumbnail image selected by an external selection operation. The image playback unit 10 starts from the playback start position specified by the position selection unit 28. The reproduction of the moving image file is started.
[0013]
FIG. 6th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
6th invention In the image recording apparatus, an image to be written as a moving image file having a header area in which incidental information is recorded and an image area in which image information is recorded is recorded on the recording medium A that is directly accessed. A writing unit 30; a position specifying unit 32 for specifying a position on the moving image file at the time of a specifying operation given from the outside in a process in which the moving image file is written by the image writing unit 30; Position recording means 34 for recording the position information corresponding to the position designated via the designation means 32 in the header area of the moving image file is provided.
[0014]
FIG. 7th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
7th invention The image recording device of 6th invention In this image recording apparatus, a thumbnail image is generated from the image information corresponding to the position designated by the position designation means 32, and the thumbnail image information corresponding to the thumbnail image is recorded in the moving image file in association with the position. The thumbnail recording means 36 is provided.
[0015]
(Function)
First In the image reproduction apparatus according to the invention, the position acquisition means 12 acquires the position information from the header area of the moving image file in which position information indicating the reproduction start position of the moving image file is recorded.
The image reproduction means 10 directly accesses the reproduction start position indicated by the position information acquired by the position acquisition means 12, and starts reproduction of the moving image file from the reproduction start position.
[0016]
That is, since the position information is stored in the moving image file, the reproduction is started from a predetermined position even when the same moving image file is reproduced again.
Second In the image reproducing apparatus according to the invention, the position specifying unit 14 receives an external designation operation while the moving image file is being reproduced by the image reproducing unit 10. Further, the position specifying unit 14 specifies the position where the moving image file is played back when the specifying operation is accepted.
[0017]
The position recording means 16 stores the moving image file. Header area Position information indicating the position specified by the position specifying means 14 Record To do. That is, when the same image file is reproduced again, the start position of the subsequent reproduction is designated by the operator in the course of the reproduction performed in advance.
[0018]
Therefore, reproduction is started from any position of the moving image file as long as the position is designated by the operator.
Third In the image reproducing apparatus according to the invention, the image reproducing means 10 interrupts the reproduction of the moving image file when an interruption operation is given from the outside. The position storage unit 18 records position information indicating the position on the moving image file, the reproduction of which has been interrupted by the image reproducing unit 10, in the header area of the moving image file.
[0019]
That is, when a moving image file whose reproduction has been interrupted is read again, the reproduction is started from the position where it was interrupted without performing overlapping reproduction.
4th In the image reproducing apparatus according to the invention, when the position information is acquired by the position acquisition means 12, the thumbnail display means (20) reads out the image information arranged at the position indicated by the position information, and single or plural thumbnail display means (20). Generate thumbnail images. The thumbnail display means (20) displays all thumbnail images as thumbnails on a screen provided inside or outside the image reproduction apparatus.
[0020]
The position selection means 22 is a thumbnail. Display means (20) When the thumbnail image is displayed as a thumbnail, an external selection operation for the thumbnail image is accepted. Further, the position selection means 22 reproduces the thumbnail image selected by the selection operation from the outside. start A location is identified.
The image reproduction means 10 reproduces the reproduction given from the position acquisition means 12 start From the playback position specified by the position selection means 22 among the positions Movement Start playing the image file.
[0021]
That is, when specifying the playback position of the moving image file, the playback position image is confirmed in advance by the thumbnail image, so that the playback start position can be specified quickly and reliably by the operator.
5th In the image reproduction apparatus according to the invention, when the reproduction start position is designated via the position designation unit 14 in the process of reproduction by the image reproduction unit 10, the thumbnail recording unit 24 displays the reproduction start position. A thumbnail image is generated from the playback image. Further, the thumbnail recording unit 24 stores the thumbnail image generated in this way in the image file in association with the reproduction start position.
[0022]
thumbnail Display means (26) At the time when the position information is acquired by the position acquisition means 12, Movement Get all thumbnail images from an image file display To do. The position selection means 28 is a thumbnail. Display means (26) Depending on the thumbnail image display Then, an external selection operation for the thumbnail image is accepted. Further, the position selection means 28 reproduces the thumbnail image selected by the selection operation from the outside. start A location is identified.
[0023]
The image reproduction means 10 reproduces the reproduction given from the position acquisition means 12 start Of the positions, the reproduction specified by the position selection means 28 start From position Movement Start playing the image file. That is, playback via the position specifying means 14 start A thumbnail image is generated when the position is specified. start As long as the position is not changed, it is not necessary to generate a thumbnail image, the number of times of generating the thumbnail image is reduced, and the time required for displaying the thumbnail is reduced.
[0024]
6th In the image reproducing apparatus according to the invention, the image writing means 30 writes moving image information given from the outside as a moving image file to the recording medium A that is directly accessed. The position designating unit 32 accepts an external designating operation while the moving image file is being written by the image writing unit 30. Further, the position specifying means 32 specifies the position where the moving image file is written when the specifying operation is accepted.
[0025]
The position recording unit 34 stores position information corresponding to the position specified by the position specifying unit 32 in a storage location provided in the image file. Therefore, the position designated at the time of writing the moving image file can be used as a position where reproduction is started by the image reproduction apparatus.
7th In the image reproducing apparatus according to the invention, when the position is specified via the position specifying means 32 in the process of writing the moving image file by the image writing means 30, the thumbnail recording means 36 is placed at that position. A thumbnail image is generated from the written image. Further, the thumbnail recording means 36 stores the thumbnail image generated in this way in the moving image file.
[0026]
Therefore, thumbnail images generated when writing image files are played back by the image playback device. start It can be used when selecting a position.
[0027]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0028]
FIG. 1st, 2nd and 4th It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
In the figure, the control unit 40 is connected to a disk drive 44, a thumbnail processing unit 46, a display processing unit 48, a monitor 50, a touch panel 52, and a memory 53 via a control bus 42. The disk drive 44 is loaded with a magnetic disk 45.
[0029]
It should be noted that the magnetic disk 45 is pre-written with a plurality of image files and an index made up of the file name and head address of each image file.
In addition, regarding the correspondence between the principle block diagrams shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4 and this embodiment, the image reproducing means 10 corresponds to the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50, and the position acquisition means 12 corresponds to the disk. Corresponding to the drive 44, the position specifying means 14 corresponds to the touch panel 52, the position recording means 16 corresponds to the disk drive 44 and the memory 53, and the thumbnail means 20 corresponds to the thumbnail processing section 46, the display processing section 48 and the monitor 50. The position selection unit 22 corresponds to the touch panel 52, and the recording medium A corresponds to the magnetic disk 45.
[0030]
FIG. 1st, 2nd and 4th It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention. Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 8 and FIG. Second The operation of the embodiment corresponding to the invention will be described. When the control unit 40 presents to the operator that the image file can be reproduced, the control unit 40 generates and displays a menu screen for selection of the image file, the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor. 50.
[0031]
When requested in this manner, the disk drive 44 reads the above-mentioned index from the magnetic disk 45 and supplies it to the display processing unit 48.
When an index is given, the display processing unit 48 acquires the file names of all image files from the index, and obtains a predetermined format (here, a format as shown in FIG. 10A for simplicity). The image information corresponding to the menu screen is generated. The image information generated in this way is given to the monitor 50 and displayed.
[0032]
The control unit 40 constantly monitors the external operation on the touch panel 52, and when the menu screen is displayed, whether any image file is selected and the external operation to the “play button” is performed. Make a decision.
As shown in FIG. 12, the image file is composed of a header area made up of additional information such as the shooting date and time and the total number of frames, and an image area made up of image information. In the header area, n “reproduction pointers” that are candidates for the start position when image information is read out are provided. In the present embodiment, for simplicity, it is assumed that “n = 4”, and each “reproduction pointer” is set in advance with a value that is a candidate for the reading start position.
[0033]
When the control unit 40 recognizes that the reproduction of the image file is requested by the determination described above, the control unit 40 requests the disk drive 44 to read the “reproduction pointer”.
When the disk drive 44 is requested to read the “reproduction pointer”, the disk drive 44 obtains the start address of the image file to be reproduced by referring to the above-described index, and all the “reproduction pointers” are read based on the start address. Read.
[0034]
When the control unit 40 recognizes that all the “playback pointers” have been read by the disk drive 44, the disk drive 44 and the thumbnail process generate thumbnail images corresponding to the respective “playback pointers” and display thumbnails. Request is made to the unit 46, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50 (S1 in FIG. 9).
When requested in this way, the disk drive 44 sequentially reads out image information corresponding to one frame from each position indicated by a plurality of “playback pointers” and gives it to the thumbnail processing unit 46.
[0035]
When the image information is given by the disk drive 44, the thumbnail processing unit 46 performs pixel density conversion to sequentially generate image information corresponding to the thumbnail image and gives it to the display processing unit 48.
When the image information of the thumbnail image is given by the thumbnail processing unit 46, the display processing unit 48 sequentially stores the image information of each thumbnail image in a predetermined arrangement in a built-in frame memory (not shown). When the display processing unit 48 stores the image information of all the thumbnail images in the frame memory, the image information corresponding to the “play button”, “stop button”, and “bookmark button” as shown in FIG. And image information on the frame memory are subjected to overlay processing and given to the monitor 50.
[0036]
In the monitor 50, when the image information subjected to the overlay processing in this way is given, thumbnail display as shown in FIG. 10B is performed.
When the thumbnail display is performed, the control unit 40 determines whether any thumbnail image is selected via the touch panel 52 (S2 in FIG. 9). When the control unit 40 recognizes that any thumbnail image has been selected by such determination, the control unit 40 gives the value of the “playback pointer” corresponding to the thumbnail image to the disk drive 44 and reads out the image information. And the reproduction is requested to the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50 (S3 in FIG. 9).
[0037]
When requested in this manner, the disk drive 44 reads the image information from the position indicated by the given “reproduction pointer” while managing the position on the image file in units of frames. The disk drive 44 includes a counter (hereinafter referred to as “read counter” for the sake of simplicity) that stores the position at which image information is read in frame units, and updates the “read counter” sequentially. , Manage the position on the image file.
[0038]
The image information read in this way is given to the display processing unit 48, decompressed, and stored in the frame memory. In the display processing unit 48, the image information stored in the frame memory is subjected to overlay processing with image information corresponding to the “play button”, “stop button”, and “bookmark button” and provided to the monitor 50. On the monitor 50, the given image information is reproduced as shown in FIG.
[0039]
The control unit 40 monitors the completion of the reproduction performed in this way (S4 in FIG. 9), and when the reproduction is continued (NO side in S4 in FIG. 9), the “bookmark button” is displayed via the touch panel 52. It is determined whether or not an external operation for "" has been accepted (S5 in FIG. 9). Whenever the control unit 40 recognizes that the “bookmark button” is externally operated by such determination, the control unit 40 sequentially stores the value of the “read counter” in the memory 53 (S6 in FIG. 9). In the following, the position on the image file of the image information read out when the “bookmark button” is externally operated (here, corresponding to the value stored in the memory 53) is referred to as “bookmark position”. .
[0040]
When the control unit 40 recognizes that the reproduction of the image file is completed (YES side in FIG. 9 S4), it determines whether or not “bookmark position” is stored (S7 in FIG. 9), and “bookmark position” is stored. If so, the disk drive 44 is requested to rewrite the contents of the “playback pointer” to “bookmark position” (S8 in FIG. 9).
The disk drive 44 selects a “reproduction pointer” from a plurality of “reproduction pointers” based on a predetermined rewrite priority order, and sequentially writes “bookmark position”.
[0041]
That is, since the position of the image information read when the “bookmark button” is externally operated is written in the “playback pointer” as the “bookmark position”, the operator requested to read the same image file. In this case, a thumbnail image is displayed in association with “bookmark position”.
Therefore, when designating the read start position on the image file, the position that is a candidate for the start position can be presented to the operator as a thumbnail image, so that the operability is reliably improved.
[0042]
FIG. First, second and fifth It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
In the figure, the function is shown in FIG. 1st, 2nd and 4th The same functional blocks as those in the embodiment corresponding to the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here.
[0043]
The configuration of the present embodiment and 1st, 2nd and 4th The difference from the embodiment corresponding to this invention is that a control unit 54 and a thumbnail generation unit 56 are provided instead of the control unit 40 and the thumbnail processing unit 46 shown in FIG.
[0044]
Further, regarding the correspondence between the principle block diagrams shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5 and this embodiment, the image reproducing means 10 corresponds to the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48 and the monitor 50, and the position acquisition means 12 is the disk Corresponding to the drive 44, the position specifying means 14 corresponds to the touch panel 52, the position recording means 16 corresponds to the disk drive 44 and the memory 53, and the thumbnail recording means 24 corresponds to the disk drive 44, the thumbnail generation unit 56 and the memory 53. The thumbnail acquisition unit 26 corresponds to the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50, the position selection unit 28 corresponds to the touch panel 52, and the recording medium A corresponds to the magnetic disk 45.
[0045]
FIG. First, second and fifth It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.
Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. First, second and fifth The operation of the embodiment corresponding to the invention will be described.
As for the image file, in addition to the header area and the image area, as shown in FIG. 15, a thumbnail area including image information of thumbnail images corresponding to each reproduction pointer is provided. In the present embodiment, for simplicity, it is assumed that image information of thumbnail images corresponding to each “playback pointer” is stored in advance in the thumbnail area.
[0046]
The control unit 54 1st, 2nd and 4th When recognizing that the reproduction of the image file is requested, as in the embodiment corresponding to the invention, the disk drive 44 is requested to read the “reproduction pointer”.
When the “playback pointer” is read, the control unit 54 reads out the image information of the thumbnail image corresponding to each “playback pointer” and the thumbnail display to the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50. Request (S1 in FIG. 14).
[0047]
When requested in this way, the disk drive 44 reads out the image information of the thumbnail image corresponding to each “playback pointer” from the thumbnail area. The image information of the thumbnail image read out in this way is 1st, 2nd and 4th As in the embodiment corresponding to the invention, the display processing unit 48 stores the image information in the frame memory and performs overlay processing with image information corresponding to a “play button” or the like. Also, thumbnails are displayed on the monitor 50 as shown in FIG.
[0048]
When the thumbnail display is performed, the control unit 54 1st, 2nd and 4th In the same manner as in the embodiment corresponding to the present invention, it is determined whether or not a thumbnail image has been selected (S2 in FIG. 14). When the control unit 54 recognizes that the thumbnail image has been selected, the control unit 54 gives the value of the “reproduction pointer” corresponding to the thumbnail image to the disk drive 44 and also reads and reproduces image information from the disk drive 44. The processing unit 48 and the monitor 50 are requested (S3 in FIG. 14).
[0049]
When the disk drive 44 is requested in this way, 1st, 2nd and 4th Similarly to the embodiment corresponding to this invention, the image information is read from the position indicated by the given “reproduction pointer” while updating the “read counter”. The image information read out in this way is given to the display processing unit 48 and also to the thumbnail generation unit 56. In the display processing unit 48, as in the embodiments corresponding to the inventions according to claims 1, 2, and 4, the given image information is decompressed and stored in the frame memory, and corresponds to a “play button” or the like. Image information and overlay processing are applied to the monitor 50. On the monitor 50, the given image information is reproduced as shown in FIG.
[0050]
The control unit 40 monitors the completion of the reproduction performed in this manner (FIG. 14S4), and when the reproduction is continuously performed (NO side in FIG. 14S4), the “bookmark button” is displayed via the touch panel 52. It is determined whether or not an external operation for "" has been accepted (S5 in FIG. 14).
Further, whenever the control unit 54 recognizes that the “bookmark button” is externally operated by such determination, the value of the “read counter” is sequentially stored in the memory 53 as the “bookmark position” (S6 in FIG. 14). At the same time, the thumbnail generation unit 56 is requested to generate thumbnail images.
[0051]
When requested in this way, the thumbnail generator 56 decompresses the image information given by the disk drive 44, converts the pixel density into image information corresponding to one frame, and obtains image information corresponding to the thumbnail image. Generate.
The thumbnail image information generated in this way is stored in the memory 53 in association with the “bookmark position” by the control unit 54 (S7 in FIG. 14).
[0052]
When the control unit 54 recognizes that the reproduction of the image file is completed (YES side in FIG. 14 S4), 1st, 2nd and 4th Whether the “bookmark position” is stored is determined as in the embodiment corresponding to the invention of FIG. 14 (S8 in FIG. 14). When recognizing that “bookmark position” is stored by such determination, the control unit 54 requests the disk drive 44 to rewrite the content of the “playback pointer” to “bookmark position” (S9 in FIG. 14). ) Is requested to rewrite the “image information of the thumbnail image” (S10 in FIG. 14).
[0053]
The disk drive 44 rewrites the “reproduction pointer” in the same manner as in the embodiments corresponding to the first, second, and fourth aspects of the invention, and stores the image information of the thumbnail image corresponding to the rewritten “reproduction pointer” in the memory. 53, and is written in “image information of thumbnail image” in the thumbnail area.
That is, the thumbnail image corresponding to the “playback pointer” is generated and recorded on the magnetic disk 45 when the “playback pointer” is updated, and is read out from the magnetic disk 45 and displayed as a thumbnail when the playback position is selected. .
[0054]
Accordingly, since the frequency of generating thumbnail images is reduced, the efficiency of processing is improved, and since the thumbnail images are generated in advance, the time from when the thumbnail display is requested until the thumbnail display is actually performed is shortened. .
In each of the above-described embodiments, the initial value of the “playback pointer” is not described in detail. For example, the “playback pointer 1” is set with the head position of the image information, and other “playback pointers”. May be set to a value indicating that the “bookmark position” is not specified.
[0055]
Also, in each of the above-described embodiments, the details of the priority of rewriting the “playback pointer” are not described. When “bookmark position” is set in “playback pointer”, priority may be set in ascending order of the numbers of “playback pointer”.
FIG. 1st and 3rd It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
[0056]
In the figure, the function is shown in FIG. 1st, 2nd and 4th The same functional blocks as those in the embodiment corresponding to the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here. The configuration of the present embodiment and 1st, 2nd and 4th The difference from the configuration corresponding to the embodiment of the invention is that a control unit 58 is provided in place of the control unit 52 shown in FIG. 8, and the thumbnail processing unit 46 and the memory 53 shown in FIG. 8 are deleted. .
[0057]
In addition, regarding the correspondence between the principle block diagram shown in FIG. 3 and this embodiment, the image reproducing means 10 corresponds to the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50, and the position acquisition means 12 corresponds to the disk drive 44. The position storage means 18 corresponds to the disk drive 44, and the recording medium A corresponds to the magnetic disk 45.
FIG. 1st and 3rd It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.
[0058]
Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 16 and FIG. 1st and 3rd The operation of the embodiment corresponding to the invention will be described.
The control unit 54 1st, 2nd and 4th When recognizing that the reproduction of the image file is requested, as in the embodiment corresponding to the invention, the disk drive 44 is requested to read the “reproduction pointer”.
[0059]
In the present embodiment, a single “playback pointer” (corresponding to “n = 1”) is provided in the header area of the image file shown in FIG. 12, and the read start position is set in advance. And
The control unit 58 gives the value of the “reproduction pointer” read in this way to the disk drive 44 and requests the disk drive 44, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50 to read out and reproduce the image information (see FIG. 17S1).
[0060]
When the disk drive 44 is requested in this way, 1st, 2nd and 4th Similarly to the embodiment corresponding to this invention, the image information is read from the position indicated by the given “reproduction pointer” while updating the “read counter”. The image information read out in this way is 1st, 2nd and 4th Similarly to the embodiment corresponding to the invention described in (1), the image data is decompressed by the display processing unit 48 and stored in the frame memory, and is subjected to overlay processing with image information corresponding to a “playback button” or the like and reproduced on the monitor 50.
[0061]
The control unit 58 monitors the completion of the reproduction performed in this way (reading “EOF”) (S2 in FIG. 17), and when the reproduction is continuously performed (NO side in FIG. 17S2), the touch panel It is determined whether or not an external operation to the “stop button” has been accepted via 52 (S3 in FIG. 17). When the control unit 58 recognizes that the reading stop is requested by such determination (YES side in FIG. 17 S3), the disk drive 44 interrupts reading of the image file (S4 in FIG. 17) and the “reproduction pointer” is set. Update (FIG. 17 S5) is requested.
[0062]
When requested in this manner, the disk drive 44 interrupts reading of the image file and writes the value of the “reading counter” into the image file as the “playback pointer”.
That is, when the reproduction is requested by the operator, the reproduction of the image file interrupted in the middle of the reproduction is started by referring to the “reproduction pointer”.
[0063]
In this embodiment, thumbnail images are not displayed. 1st, 2nd and 4th Or First, second and fifth Similarly to the embodiment corresponding to the present invention, image information corresponding to one frame arranged at the position indicated by the “playback pointer” may be displayed as a thumbnail image.
In each of the above-described embodiments, the menu screen displayed on the monitor 50 is externally operated via the touch panel 52 to select an image file. However, the image file to be read out is the control unit 40 (54, 58). The image file may be selected by any method as long as it is reliably recognized.
[0064]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an index in which the start address of the image file is written is provided, and the image file is accessed by referring to the index. The file organization of the recording medium is as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to a simple index organization, and may be anything as long as direct access to an image file is performed.
[0065]
In each of the embodiments described above, the initialization of the “playback pointer” is not shown at all. For example, a “reset button” is newly provided as a man-machine interface in response to an operator request. The “playback pointer” may be initialized. In this way, the “playback pointer” is initialized under the guidance of the operator, and thus the operability is further improved.
[0066]
Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, an image file in which image information is directly written in the image area is used. However, if image information to be reproduced is reliably obtained, the image file on another image file is used. An image file that acquires image information by referring to the image information may be used.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the position at which reading of the image file is started coincides with the position at which playback is started. However, if playback is reliably started from the position indicated by the “playback pointer”. For example, the position where reading is started may be a position preceding the position where reproduction should start.
[0067]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, only the “playback pointer” is read from the header area by the disk drive 44, but all the supplementary information in the header area is read when playback is requested by the operator. The “reproduction pointer” may be acquired by the control unit 40 (54, 58) from the read incidental information.
FIG. 6th and 7th It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
[0068]
In the figure, the function is shown in FIG. First, second and fifth The same functional blocks as those in the embodiment corresponding to the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted here. The configuration of the present embodiment and First, second and fifth The difference from the configuration corresponding to the embodiment of the invention is that the control unit 60 is provided in place of the control unit 54 shown in FIG. 13 and the imaging unit 62 and the compression unit connected to the control unit 54 via the control bus 42 are compressed. The processing unit 64 is provided.
[0069]
6 and 7, the image writing unit 30 corresponds to the imaging unit 62, the compression processing unit 64, and the disk drive 44, and the position specifying unit 32 corresponds to the touch panel 52. The position recording unit 34 corresponds to the disk drive 44 and the memory 53, the thumbnail recording unit 36 corresponds to the disk drive 44, the thumbnail generation unit 56, and the memory 53, and corresponds to the recording medium A. Corresponds to the magnetic disk 45.
[0070]
FIG. 6th and 7th It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.
Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 18 and FIG. 6th and 7th The operation of the embodiment corresponding to the invention will be described.
[0071]
The control unit 60 requests the imaging unit 62, the display processing unit 48, and the monitor 50 to generate and display an operation screen including a viewfinder when presenting to the operator that recording is possible.
When requested to do so, the imaging unit 62 images the subject, generates image information, and gives the image information to the display processing unit 48.
[0072]
The display processing unit 48 stores the image information given by the imaging unit 62 as image information for the finder at a predetermined position in the frame memory, and displays “record button” and “stop” as shown in FIG. The image information corresponding to “button” and “bookmark button” is subjected to overlay processing and given to the monitor 50.
In the monitor 50, when the image information subjected to the overlay processing in this way is given, the display as shown in FIG. 11D is performed.
[0073]
The control unit 60 determines whether or not an external operation to the “record button” is accepted via the touch panel 52. When the control unit 60 recognizes that the recording is requested by such determination, the control unit 60 requests the imaging unit 62, the compression processing unit 64, and the disk drive 44 to generate the image file and write the image information (see FIG. 19S1).
[0074]
When requested in this way, the disk drive 44 secures a fixed-length area corresponding to the header area and thumbnail area shown in FIG. 15 on the magnetic disk 45 and initializes the “reproduction pointer” in the header area. . Further, in the disk drive 44, image areas are sequentially secured as the image information is written.
The imaging unit 62 gives the generated image information to the compression processing unit 64, and the compression processing unit 64 compresses the given image information into a format that can be written to the magnetic disk 45 and gives it to the disk drive 44. In the present embodiment, the image information generated by the imaging unit 62 is also given to the thumbnail generation unit 56.
[0075]
When the image information is given by the compression processing unit 64, the disk drive 44 writes the image information in the above-described image area while managing the position on the image file in units of frames. The disk drive 44 is provided with a counter (hereinafter referred to as “write counter” for the sake of simplicity) that stores the position where image information is written in units of frames, and the “write counter” is sequentially updated. , Manage the position on the image file.
[0076]
When the image information is written in this way, the control unit 60 determines whether or not an external operation to the “stop button” is accepted via the touch panel 52 (S2 in FIG. 19). Monitor the completion of writing.
In addition, when the writing is continuously performed (NO side in FIG. 19S2), the control unit 60 1st, 2nd and 4th Similarly to the embodiment corresponding to the present invention, it is determined whether or not an external operation to the “bookmark button” is accepted via the touch panel 52 (S3 in FIG. 19).
[0077]
Furthermore, whenever the control unit 60 recognizes that the “bookmark button” is externally operated by such determination, the value of the “write counter” is sequentially stored in the memory 53 as the “bookmark position” (S4 in FIG. 19). At the same time, the thumbnail generation unit 56 is requested to generate a thumbnail image (S5 in FIG. 19).
When requested in this way, the thumbnail generation unit 56 converts the image information given from the imaging unit 62 to a pixel density in a unit corresponding to one frame, and generates image information corresponding to a thumbnail image.
[0078]
The image information of the thumbnail image generated in this way is stored in the memory 53 in association with the “bookmark position” by the control unit 60.
When the control unit 60 recognizes that an external operation to the “stop button” has been accepted via the touch panel 52 (YES in FIG. 19 S2), it requests the disk drive 44 to stop writing image information. , “Write pointer” (FIG. 19 S7) and “Image information of thumbnail image” are written (FIG. 19 S8).
[0079]
When requested in this manner, the disk drive 44 writes “EOF” at the position that will be the end of the image area, and provides additional information such as the shooting date and time and the total number of frames given based on a predetermined procedure as a header. Write to the area. Further, the disk drive 44 sequentially acquires “bookmark positions” from the memory 53 and writes them in ascending order from “reproduction pointer 1” in the header area. Further, the disk drive 44 acquires the image information of the thumbnail image individually corresponding to the “playback pointer” written in this way from the memory 53 and writes it in the thumbnail area as “image information of the thumbnail image”.
[0080]
That is, the “bookmark position” set at the time of recording is written as a “playback pointer” on the magnetic disk, and can therefore be used as a playback start position candidate.
Also, since the thumbnail image corresponding to the “bookmark position” is also written on the magnetic disk, it is possible to present the position as a candidate for the start position of reproduction as a thumbnail image to the operator.
[0081]
In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 62 is provided to generate image information. However, image information to be written to the magnetic disk 45 may be given from the outside.
Also, 1st and 3rd In each of the embodiments other than the embodiment corresponding to the present invention, the “bookmark position” is stored in the memory 53 until the end of reading or writing of the image file, but the “bookmark button” has been externally operated. The “bookmark position” may be held in the disk drive 44 by the control unit 40 (54, 60) notifying the disk drive 44.
[0082]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the magnetic disk 45 is used as the recording medium. However, the recording medium may be any optical disk or the like as long as direct access is possible.
[0083]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the “play button”, “record button”, “stop button”, and “bookmark button” displayed via the monitor 50 are externally operated via the touch panel 52 to play back. The recording and stop requests and the “bookmark position” are designated, but these buttons may be provided as hardware.
[0084]
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, an image reproducing device having a monitor in a part of the housing is shown, but the image reproducing device and the image recording device to which the present invention is applied are limited to such a configuration. Alternatively, the image information may be provided to an external monitor via an image terminal or the like.
Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the format when the position on the image file is written in the “playback pointer” is not shown at all. However, for example, the start of playback such as the physical address or logical address of the magnetic disk 45 is shown. It can be in any form as long as the position is shown reliably.
[0085]
【The invention's effect】
As mentioned above First In this invention, even when the same image file is reproduced again, the reproduction is started from a predetermined position based on the reproduction start position information recorded in the header area of the moving image file. Also, Second In this invention, reproduction is started from any position of the moving image file as long as the position is designated by the operator.
[0086]
further, Third In this invention, when a moving image file whose reproduction has been interrupted is read again, the reproduction is started from the position where it was interrupted without overlapping reproduction. Also, 4th In this invention, when specifying the playback start position of the moving image file, the image at the playback start position is confirmed in advance by the thumbnail image, so that a desired playback start position can be quickly and quickly specified from a plurality of playback start position information. It can be done reliably.
[0087]
further, 5th In this invention, since the thumbnail image is generated when the playback start position is specified via the position specifying means, it is not necessary to generate a thumbnail image unless the playback start position is changed, and the number of times the thumbnail image is generated is increased. This reduces the time required for displaying thumbnails. Therefore, the image reproducing apparatus to which these inventions are applied can surely reproduce from any position on the moving image file.
[0088]
Also, 6th In this invention, since the position information designated at the time of writing the image file is recorded in the header area of the moving image file, it can be used as a position where reproduction is started by the image reproducing apparatus. further, 7th In this invention, the thumbnail image generated when the moving image file is written can be used when the playback start position is selected by the image playback device. Therefore, in the image recording apparatus to which these inventions are applied, the start position of reproduction performed by the image reproduction apparatus can be designated when writing a moving image file.
[Brief description of the drawings]
[Figure 1] First It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[Figure 2] Second It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[Fig. 3] Third It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[Fig. 4] 4th It is a principle block diagram of the invention described in.
[Figure 5] 5th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[Fig. 6] 6th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[Fig. 7] 7th It is a principle block diagram of this invention.
[Fig. 8] 1st, 2nd and 4th It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
FIG. 9 1st, 2nd and 4th It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a monitor.
FIG. 11 is a diagram (continued) illustrating a display example of a monitor.
FIG. 12 is a diagram (1) illustrating a configuration example of an image file.
FIG. 13 First, second and fifth It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
FIG. 14 First, second and fifth It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.
FIG. 15 is a diagram (2) illustrating a configuration example of an image file.
FIG. 16 1st and 3rd It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
FIG. 17 1st and 3rd It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.
FIG. 18 6th and 7th It is a functional block diagram of an embodiment corresponding to the invention of.
FIG. 19 6th and 7th It is an operation | movement flowchart of embodiment corresponding to this invention.

Claims (6)

Image reproduction means for directly accessing a moving image file recorded on a recording medium and having a header area where auxiliary information is recorded and an image area where image information is recorded, and reading and reproducing the moving image file;
Position designation means for designating the reproduction start position of the moving image file at the time of the designation operation given from the outside in the process in which the moving image file is being reproduced by the image reproduction means;
Position recording means for recording the reproduction start position designated by the position designation means as the position information in the header area;
Position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a reproduction start position of the moving image file recorded in the header area of the moving image file by the position recording means ;
The image reproduction means includes
An image reproduction apparatus, wherein reproduction of the moving image file is started from a reproduction start position corresponding to the position information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition means. Image reproduction means for directly accessing a moving image file recorded on a recording medium and having a header area where auxiliary information is recorded and an image area where image information is recorded, and reading and reproducing the moving image file;
Position storage means for recording the position of the moving image file at which the reproduction of the moving image file at the image reproducing means is interrupted by an interruption operation given from outside as the position information in the header area;
Position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a reproduction start position of the moving image file recorded in the header area of the moving image file by the position storage means;
The image reproduction means includes
An image reproduction apparatus, wherein reproduction of the moving image file is started from a reproduction start position corresponding to the position information based on the position information acquired by the position acquisition means . Image reproduction means for directly accessing a moving image file recorded on a recording medium and having a header area where auxiliary information is recorded and an image area where image information is recorded, and reading and reproducing the moving image file;
Position acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating a reproduction start position of the plurality of moving image files recorded in the header area of the moving image file;
When a plurality of the position information is acquired by the position acquisition means, a thumbnail display means for generating a thumbnail image from the reproduction image at the reproduction start position indicated by the position information and displaying a plurality of the thumbnail information;
Position selection means for specifying a playback start position according to a thumbnail image selected by an external selection operation,
The image reproduction device, wherein the image reproduction means starts reproduction of the moving image file from a reproduction start position specified by the position selection means . The image reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 ,
Thumbnail recording means for generating a thumbnail image from the reproduction image at the reproduction start position designated by the position designation means, and storing the thumbnail image in the moving image file in association with the reproduction start position;
Thumbnail display means for acquiring image information of the thumbnail image from the moving image file and displaying a thumbnail image corresponding to the image information;
Among the reproduction start positions acquired by the position acquisition means, a position selection means for specifying a reproduction start position corresponding to a thumbnail image selected by an external selection operation,
The image reproduction means includes
An image reproducing apparatus, wherein reproduction of the moving image file is started from a reproduction start position specified by the position selecting means. Image writing means for writing moving image information given from the outside as a moving image file having a header area in which incidental information is recorded and an image area in which image information is recorded, on a recording medium that is directly accessed;
In the process in which the moving image file is written by the image writing means, position specifying means for specifying the position on the moving image file at the time of the specifying operation given from the outside;
An image recording apparatus comprising: position recording means for recording position information corresponding to a position designated via the position designation means in the header area of the moving image file. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein
A thumbnail recording unit configured to generate a thumbnail image from the image information corresponding to the position specified by the position specifying unit, and to record the thumbnail image information corresponding to the thumbnail image in the moving image file in association with the position; An image recording apparatus.

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